After the Immortal Disappeared

"Alas," Hee Lingchuan sighed. "Yes, I heard it’s going to be extended by a few more days." It was originally scheduled for ten days, but now it would be longer.

Good things come to those who wait.

"This is a good thing," Lil Qingge said seriously. "Li Fubo has studied Artifact Refining for twenty-one years. The fact that even he misjudged it proves how complex the blade’s nature is. The harder it is to cultivate, the more powerful the finished product will be. If such a treasure were in my hands, I’d be more than happy for it to take a few extra days."

"Patience will be rewarded." She took a sip of tea. "But after what Li Fubo said, I’ve become quite curious. I wonder if I might visit your estate to have a look?"

"Of course." Hee Lingchuan didn’t even have to think about it. "You would be most welcome."

"I have to go on a long trip. How about seven days from now?"

’She’s actually setting a date?’ Hee Lingchuan had no objections. "Sounds good. I will await your visit."

Lil Qingge smiled faintly. "I trust the Eldest Young Master won’t have other business to attend to then."

’Looks like she knows exactly what’s going on.’ Hee Lingchuan chuckled dryly in self-deprecation. "Of course not. I’d postpone it even if it were a matter of life and death." Then he changed the subject. "How long does the Lord plan to stay here?"

"Once the business here is on the right track, I must head north."

"North?" Hee Lingchuan was slightly surprised. "To Xunzhou?"

"The Beiga Kingdom."

’She’s actually going to the Northern Demon Kingdom?’ "Is it possible to travel to the Northern Kingdom?"

"Of course it is!" Lil Qingge’s laugh was soft, deep, and pleasant, sending a tingle through one’s heart. "A merchant’s roads lead everywhere. Besides, how many Daoist Sects confine themselves to a single kingdom?"

’Traveling across borders like this, wouldn’t the Monarch grow suspicious?’ Hee Lingchuan thought. But he knew that few Daoist Sects swore allegiance to only one kingdom. The more prosperous a sect became, the more its disciples would spread across the world.

It was said that the precursors to the Daoist Sects were the Immortal Sects of Ancient Times. Back then, there were no nations, and these sects stood aloof, independent of worldly affairs. The Daoist Sects of today have inherited this tradition. Kingdoms don’t make strict demands of them; instead, they vie for the talented individuals the sects cultivate.

Usually, that is. Usually.

Thinking of this, Hee Lingchuan found Songyang Prefecture all the more bizarre. Lil Qingge traveled back and forth to the Northern Demon Kingdom without issue, yet her ex-husband was the one slapped with the crime of treason and consorting with the enemy.

"Lord, by opening a shop in Dunyu at a time like this, aren’t you afraid it will become a frontline battlefield?" Stability is what merchants desire most.

Only in times of peace can business be prosperous and long-lasting.

"I have the Face Reading Skill, and therefore, I have faith in the Hee Family." Lil Qingge leaned back lazily, supporting her lovely head by resting two fingers against her cheek. A simple gesture, yet it was filled with grace. "Besides, it’s not just my Songyang Prefecture. Isn’t the Zhu Family also trying to squeeze into Dunyu?"

Although Hee Chunhua had helped Zhu Xiyan find her long-lost granddaughter, the Zhu Family was being far too enthusiastic toward Chief Steward Hee, granting almost his every request. Having lived in Shihuan for a long time and experienced the vicissitudes of life, Lil Qingge knew exactly what these Noble Families were like.

If there were no benefits, no sweet prize to be had, would the Zhu Family be so "grateful" to Hee Chunhua?

Are great and powerful houses really lacking for young women?

Xiazhou is rich in resources, but it has always been controlled by the four great families. With the Li Family being Minister Li’s own clan, it is difficult for others to interfere. Only with the appointment of a new Chief Steward can outside forces hope to break the ice and enter the game.

Songyang Prefecture has always adhered to the philosophy of diversifying its interests. An opportunity like this should not be missed.

"Face Reading Skill?" Hee Lingchuan’s interest was piqued. "Then in the Lord’s eyes, what will become of my old man in the future? And what about me?"

"As for Chief Steward Hee, his future nobility will be beyond words." Lil Qingge’s almond-shaped eyes glanced over, as if trying to see right through him. "As for Eldest Young Master Hee..."

She was deliberately keeping him in suspense, and Hee Lingchuan played along cooperatively. "Yes?"

"You’ll have to tell me your birth date and time."

One’s birth date and time should never be shared with outsiders, as some Curse Masters use it to harm people. Hee Lingchuan recited it without batting an eye.

He had yuan coins and an Official Position, which meant he was protected by Primordial Power. What was there to fear?

Impervious to all evil!

Well, he had intentionally given the last part of it incorrectly.

Lil Qingge pinched her fingers, performing a quick calculation, then stared at him intently.

Her gaze was gentle and beautiful, seemingly shimmering with moisture when she looked at someone. As Hee Lingchuan let her stare, he couldn’t help but feel a little lost in a daze.

Lil Qingge’s fingers were slender, her nails trimmed neatly and kept short. Hee Lingchuan guessed this was because she often had to practice martial arts or engage in Artifact Refining.

For some reason, he thought of Sunx Fuling. His neighbor’s fingers were also quite beautiful, especially when she held a brush. She didn’t keep long nails either. ’Is it because she lives alone and has to do chores?’

She had mentioned something about coming to see the shop he’d just acquired, but she never showed up.

’The shop, sigh.’ Hee Lingchuan felt that even though he only lived in a small wooden cabin of less than fifteen square meters in the Dream Realm, it felt more spacious than his life in reality.

At least in the dream, he wasn’t short on money.

"What are you thinking about?" someone seemed to ask him.

Hee Lingchuan replied without thinking:

"Being broke."

"Pfft." A soft laugh came from in front of him. Hee Lingchuan snapped back to his senses and saw Lil Qingge pressing her lips together.

"Uh, what did I say?" He was a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I zoned out."

Other men who got lost in thought while looking at her were usually mesmerized by her beauty. This Eldest Young Master Hee, however, was thinking about being broke. Lil Qingge had no idea how many twists and turns his mind took.

"I see a disaster befalling Eldest Young Master Hee within three years." She spoke as if she wouldn’t be satisfied until she’d said something shocking. "A great calamity, at that."

"...Lord, if you were to set up a fortune-telling stall on the street like this, I fear you’d easily invite disaster upon yourself."

Lil Qingge cleared her throat. "However, as long as you overcome this hurdle, a boundless future awaits you."

’This whole routine sounds way too familiar.’ "Is your reading accurate?"

"Perhaps." Lil Qingge herself laughed. "I’m probably about fifty to sixty percent accurate."

Hee Lingchuan rubbed his nose. "Then I still have a forty to fifty percent chance of escaping this calamity. That’s quite comforting to think about." ’It’s fine,’ he thought. ’Who knows whose birth details I gave her. There’s a ninety percent chance I’m not the one who’s going to suffer.’

Lil Qingge coughed lightly. "What were you saying just now? About being broke?"

The topic had circled back. Hee Lingchuan gave a bitter smile. "Can’t you just pretend you didn’t hear that?"

"What’s so strange about being broke?" Lil Qingge interlaced her fingers. "The rich young masters I know all put on a glamorous front, but six or seven out of ten of them are short on cash year-round. If all your expenses have to be covered by your family, that’s the norm."

There was no good response to that. Having been a Rich Young Master for so long, it was the first time Hee Lingchuan felt that eating, drinking, and using his family’s resources was... perhaps a bit dishonorable?

The most crucial point was that Hee Chunhua had his two sons on a strict allowance system; they couldn’t just spend money as they pleased.

Hee Lingchuan’s face stiffened. "Do they come crying to you about it?"

"They come to Songyang Prefecture to pawn some of their fine things. After all, we have a good reputation, we know the value of goods, we maintain confidentiality, and we don’t lowball them to death. We’re much better than the average pawn shop," Lil Qingge said slowly. "I know an Eldest Young Master from the Capital City whose family is very prominent. But he has pawned his ancestral Celestial Net Robe at Songyang Prefecture four times, only to redeem it when he has money again."

Some of the great and powerful houses are only glamorous on the outside.

With the Da Yuan Kingdom in such a state, its subjects can hardly remain unaffected.

She leaned forward slightly and asked Hee Lingchuan, "If Eldest Young Master Hee is tight on cash, does he need Songyang Prefecture’s help?"

Hee Lingchuan immediately waved his hand. "No need."

He wasn’t in debt; he just hadn’t found a source of income yet. Besides, he was deeply wary of the woman before him.

’If I owe her money, there will probably be consequences.’

Lil Qingge didn’t press him. "No matter. Eldest Young Master Hee is in the thick of the situation, unaware that it can be broken with a flick of the wrist."

’Broken with a flick of the wrist?’ He loved the sound of that. He liked doing things that weren’t difficult. Hee Lingchuan immediately sat up straight and proper. "Please, Lord, enlighten me."

"The Rich Young Masters in the Capital City are only glamorous in public because they can’t manage the household or have the final say, so the money they receive is limited."

Hee Lingchuan nodded. ’How is that any different from my situation?’

"But it’s also because the Capital City and Shihuan have been at peace for too long. All the profitable businesses and avenues for making money have long been monopolized, leaving latecomers like them with few opportunities." She smiled. "Let me ask you, Eldest Young Master Hee, do you have confidence in Xiazhou and in Chief Steward Hee’s ability to defend against the Xunzhou Army?"

"Of course I do." They were family; he and Hee Chunhua were like two grasshoppers on the same string. Besides, he could have some faith in his old man’s methods.

"Then right now, the entire city is filled with great opportunities." Lil Qingge pointed to the east. "For example, the shop next to the Songyang Prefecture branch. The owner is in a hurry to sell. When I was choosing, I compared the two and picked the one with the lower price. In these extraordinary times, all the Eldest Young Master has to do is go over and drive a hard bargain, and the shop will be yours for the taking. If it’s inconvenient for you, I can have Steward Zhao go. I guarantee he’ll be able to buy it."

She said softly, "I’ve had people look into it. In the past, these prime shops on the main street would cost at least six or seven hundred taels. A good location with a large storefront could go for over a thousand taels. Now, you can buy them for sixty to seventy percent of that. If the Master is desperate for cash, half price is even possible."

"What’s their hurry?" A glint appeared in Hee Lingchuan’s eyes. "Are they trying to flee?"

"Yes. With Xiazhou about to become a frontline, they want to take the opportunity to leave before the Royal Court announces a relocation restriction order. Leaving first is the best option." Lil Qingge clearly had a good grasp of the situation in Dunyu. "A few days ago, even the Zhan Family began to retreat south, which has shaken the ordinary nobles and commoners even more. To put it bluntly, even though Chief Steward Hee has taken office, everyone’s confidence is still shaky."

Hee Lingchuan had come by carriage today, and passing through the less prosperous streets, he had also noticed that shop after shop was closed. He also saw some commoners with their bedrolls packed and children in tow, clearly about to flee the impending famine and war.

The thunder of war grew louder and closer. Despite the authorities’ best efforts to suppress it, the feeling of panic was spreading throughout the city, passed from person to person.

Confidence is more important than gold. With the people’s hearts unsettled, the value of Dunyu’s real estate naturally plummeted.

Moreover, for years, the Yuan Court has issued relocation restriction orders in border regions, prohibiting border residents from moving inland. Xiazhou wasn’t originally a frontline, so people didn’t have this concern. But as the Xunzhou Army marches south step by step, Xiazhou is about to become a fiercely contested strategic point, and the Yuan Court might designate it as a border region.

By then, it will be too late to escape.

"Eldest Young Master Hee must have some spare cash on hand, right? If it’s not enough, you can borrow some from me."

"I have enough."

"Acquiring things from these people is much easier than before. A crisis is composed of danger and opportunity. Without danger, how can there be opportunity?" Lil Qingge smiled. "Let’s take this a step further. Chief Steward Hee is new to his post, unfamiliar with the people and the place, and the situation in Xiazhou is exceptionally complex. The people he relies on and trusts the most right now are none other than his own family."